While the champs made the marquee, there's a darn good undercard, as the NFC East helps close out the schedule in prime time. From Manning to Manning and beyond, it's a reminder that this season sets up to be bigger than 2012. (All times listed ET)

Game of the week

Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., Fox). The Packers stayed up all offseason trying to figure out how to slow down Colin Kaepernick and the zone read. Easier said than done. Green Bay needs its front seven to handle the league's best offensive line and a dangerous intermediate passing game at the same time.

The 49ers aren't a good matchup up front defensively, either. They can make it a rough debut for Packers rookie back Eddie Lacy. That will force Aaron Rodgers into his old pass-happy mode, ready for Aldon Smith and friends to tee off. Athletic tight ends Vernon Davis of the Niners and Jermichael Finley of the Packers are key, and the Niners are better suited to cover those types. PREDICTION: 49ers 27, Packers 24. Linemakers' take

With Romo and Dez Bryant, the Cowboys came oh-so close to holding serve a year ago. Expect them to attack the Giants' injury-riddled secondary. Facing a banged-up pass rush, Romo will be able to deliver big pass plays. Manning is accustomed to answering, especially in the fourth quarter, but the Cowboys' new 4-3 defense will limit the damage to earn its first silver star. Cowboys 27, Giants 24. Linemakers' take

Shootout of the week

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox). Sean Payton is back, and defensive coordinators are going to be in trouble. Sure, the Saints still had Drew Brees without their coach last season, but Payton both raises the creative big-play quotient and never forgets about the power running game. That's all good, but after the Big Easy that was the Saints' pass defense last season, it's just as shaky with Rob Ryan as coordinator.

The Falcons worked to match the Saints with playmakers, and now have one more: running back Steven Jackson. These teams will trade blows and points right from the gun, and won't let up. Matt Ryan and Mike Smith helped Atlanta roost while Payton was gone, and will make sure not to give up early control of the division. Falcons 34, Saints 31. Linemakers' take

Upset of the Week

Cincinnati Bengals over Chicago Bears (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS). OK, if we believe in the Bengals as division favorites and true AFC contenders, this is exactly the kind of game we should expect them to win. Sure, the Bears are excited about their version of the West Coast under Marc Trestman, but Cincy also upgraded its offense.

The Bengals should control the action up front and get after Jay Cutler. Here's their chance to gain respect in a tough road environment to start a difficult early stretch. Bengals 20, Bears 19. Linemakers' take

Lock of the week

Indianapolis Colts over Oakland Raiders (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS). The Raiders should be inspired by the Colts, knowing how quickly having the NFL Draft's first overall pick led to a turnaround in Indy. Of course, it required a little luck to land Andrew Luck, but Oakland won't really need to do much to secure a shot at a franchise quarterback at the top of the 2014 draft (see Teddy Bridgewater).

As for Luck in Year 2, it starts with a bang with Terrelle Pryor unable to run or pass enough to catch up. Colts 24, Raiders 10. Linemakers' take

Rest of the week

Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS). You might remember Brandon Weeden and Ryan Tannehill. They were those last year's "other" first-round quarterbacks. Weeden is older and bit more refined, while Tannehill remains a bit raw and still developing. The Browns' Weeden, thanks to Rob Chudzinski and Norv Turner, is ahead, and it helps he can fall back on handing off often to the uber-talented Trent Richardson. Browns 23, Dolphins 17. Linemakers' take

Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS). Andy Reid and Alex Smith are expected to bring stability to the Chiefs' offense. They already had the feats of agility with Jamaal Charles. The Jaguars are better than you think with their cogs for Blaine Gabbert, even without Justin Blackmon. Reid, however, inherited a more ready-to-win veteran team than Gus Bradley. Chiefs 24, Jaguars 14.

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox). Here comes Adrian Peterson on even better knees, and he plowed through the Lions for 273 rushing yards a season ago. Detroit will support its fine front four and focus on slowing him down. That puts Christian Ponder in position, albeit with better receivers, of needing to win a high-scoring road game. Matt Stafford will earn that fat contract with a big opening game that will give the Lions hope for a bounceback. Lions 27, Vikings 24. Linemakers take

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS). The Patriots have lived dangerously against the Bills of late, falling into big early holes only to let their offense take over in the second half. They can't afford to do that here, as rookie QB EJ Manuel will provide thrills, along with C.J. Spiller. While the focus is on the new faces to whom Tom Brady is throwing, there's nothing new with the Pats' running game. Ball control and defense are back as Bill Belichick staples. Patriots 30, Bills 20. Linemakers' take

Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox). It's a homecoming of sorts for Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, who still has many area fans from his days at NC State. There are many more Cam Newton fans in Charlotte, but at this point, he's a little behind his Seahawks counterpart as a complete player. Newton also is facing a defense that backs its pass rush with the league's best secondary. Wilson will see Marshawn Lynch and the running game do a whole lot of smashing in the second half. Seahawks 24, Panthers 13. Linemakers' take

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox). You might have heard that Darrelle Revis plays for the Bucs now, and the Jets are rolling with rookie Geno Smith over injured Mark Sanchez. That's a good formula for revenge interceptions, which will come after the Bucs shut down an anemic running game and force Smith into mistakes. Even though the Bucs' D will set up the win, it's important for Sanchez's fellow 2009 first-rounder Josh Freeman to avoid his own mistakes. Buccaneers 16, Jets 13. Linemakers' take

Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS). Both teams came into the season wanting to run the ball better, and the Titans have the edge with a stronger line and a healthy Chris Johnson. The Titans intent to run often and well, however, is a poor approach against the Steelers' front. Big Ben Roethlisberger can expect to take a lot of licks, but he's used to it by now and can bail the Steelres out with a few big pass plays. Jake Locker won't be able to match. Steelers 30, Titans 14.Linemakers' take

Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. Fox). The Cardinals once again field a legitimate passer in Carson Palmer, while the Rams hope they have given Sam Bradford enough legitimate receivers. These "other" NFC West teams also play nasty defense and will be hungry for turnovers against transitional, run-challenged teams. Half pretty, half ugly plays into the hands of Jeff Fisher at home. Rams 20, Cardinals 17. Linemakers' take

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins (Monday, 6:55 p.m., ESPN). Sure, Chip Kelly has fun in store with Michael Vick leading his offense, but that's so last season. In case you missed it, Mike Shanahan already did a lot of that with Robert Griffin III mixing a hard-to-read running game with big shots downfield. There just isn't enough faith in Kelly's defense, which will be a liability all season. RG3 gets broken in well (again), and the hosts will win running away with Alfred Morris. Redskins 34, Eagles 21.Linemakers' take

Houston Texans at San Diego Chargers (Monday, 10:20 p.m., ESPN). J.J. Watt is set to continue his sacking, pass-swatting dominance against the Chargers' shaky offensive line and struggling sidewinder Philip Rivers. It won't be easy for the Texans to run, but Matt Schaub, Rivers' 2004 draftmate, has much more help to be a steady passer. This will turn into a pretty nice return for Wade Phillips. Texans 23, Chargers 13.Linemakers' take